This move comes on the back of recent talks held between China, Japan, South Korea and Thailand about investing US$7.3 billion to turn Thailand into an energy hub.
According to the Bangkok Post, citing the Thai Cabinet, “The Strategic Energy Landbridge (SEL) [will] boost Thailand’s energy reserves, develop its petrochemical industry, and be an alternative shipping route for East Asian consumers and Middle East oil producers.”
The SEL, as detailed many times in EnergyReview.net, envisages a 230 km “landbridge” connecting the Gulf of Thailand to the Andaman Sea via an oil pipeline network and includes the construction of an oil refinery and two oil depots.
“The oil refinery [should] be located on land beside the Gulf of Thailand with oil depots and floating oil-receiving platforms should be constructed in the Andaman Sea,” said the Cabinet.
“The pipeline would [also] be laid underground and underwater to ensure minimal impact on the environment and tourism,” added the Cabinet.
The pipeline is expected to be completed by 2010.
